All events (including meals) mentioned on the itinerary are included in the price ($150). Additionally, lodging is provided.

The following universities have agreed to sponsor their students cost of registration for the retreat. Registrants should reach out to their department for specifics before registering.
​- Kansas State University Department of Chemistry
- Kansas State University Graduate School
- Washington University in St. Louis Department of Chemistry
- University of Missouri-St. Louis Department of Chemistry
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Department of Chemistry
- University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign Department of Chemistry

How Do I Ask for Permission/Funding to go to the MWRDC?
Your PI or faculty mentor in your department may be able to provide funding to support your attendance of the MWRDC. Below, we have provided a guide on how you can request assistance and explain the MWRDC retreat in a succinct way.

1) First, you should describe what the MWRDC is. Here's a description:
The Midwest Retreat for Diversity in Chemistry was created by Prof. Robbyn Anand at Iowa State University. The goal of the retreat is "the retention of underrepresented groups in chemistry careers and their advancement into leadership roles. We aim to teach graduate and postdoctoral chemists a positive and proactive approach to their careers. Specifically, the retreat will connect attendees to a close-knit network of colleagues and mentors, teach strategies for career success, and provide a toolkit for success in their chemistry career paths." There will be workshops on scientific communication, bias, and mental wellness, as well as breakout sessions, a research poster session, and three career panels. The weekend-long retreat will be held on Friday, June 23rd to Sunday, June 25th, 2023 at Park University in Parkville, MO.

2) Tell your PI/faculty mentor why you want to go. To strengthen your reasoning, you could include some skills that you are hoping to gain at the retreat (e.g., networking, interviews, job application tips, communication, etc.). You can even mention that you will be presenting your research during poster session.
 
3) Lastly, if your PI/faculty mentor typically supports conference travel, you can ask them to financially support your registration fee. You could say something like:
As you can see, I am really excited to attend MWRDC this year. Would you be willing to financially support my attendance? The registration fee is set at $150 and includes all retreat sessions, housing for two nights, and meals/beverages.